Russian President Vladimir Putin has "confirmed his support for Bosnia and Herzegovina and its territorial integrity", said the President of Republika Srpska (RS), Bosnia's Serb-dominated semi-autonomous entity, after a meeting between the two on Friday.

RS President Milorad Dodik met with the Russian President in St. Petersburg, where they spoke about new projects which are about to be initiated, including the reconstruction of two thermal power plants and support in the acquisition of helicopters for the RS Administration of Civil Protection.

“There is support for all of those projects from the Russian President and, of course, his understanding for our political situation in regard to the continuous efforts to put pressure on Republika Srpska, which is aimed at minimizing its rights and competencies,” Dodik said.

Dodik said that he is fascinated by the fact that Putin himself pointed out those challenges which could prove to be dangerous and that the Russian President confirmed his commitment to respecting international law and the Dayton Peace Agreement.

“Putin confirmed his support for Bosnia and Herzegovina and for its territorial integrity, but he also confirmed his support no less for the sovereign rights which Republika Srpska and the entities have, and that is the well-known policy of the Russian Federation and its President,” Dodik concluded.